US7424527B2 - System and method for transmitting pollution information over an integrated wireless network - Google Patents

Abstract

A pollution information message system provides a system and method for generating and transmitting pollution information messages. In one embodiment, the pollution information message system employs a transceiver network with a plurality transceivers coupled to monitoring devices. Control room operators receive a pollution information message from an identifiable transceiver. The transceiver, identified by an identification code, indicates a location and the nature of the detected pollution.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to communicating pollution information and, in particular, to a system and method for generating and transmitting pollution information through an integrated wireless communication network.

2. Related Art

Regulation of allowable pollution discharges into the environment from pollution sources are governed by federal, state and/or local laws. Generally, the least strict pollution criteria are defined by federal law. Federal agencies typically enforce various federal pollution laws by requiring timely reporting of pollution discharges and violations of criteria, by requiring clean-up of the pollution discharges, and by requiring termination of the discharges from the pollution sources. Furthermore, state laws, local laws and/or company policies may set stricter criteria at specific locations. Such pollution criteria define limits of pollution sources that may, or are, polluting air, water and/or soil. Pollution discharges can include materials, chemicals, or even noise.

Detectors are used to detect the presence of pollution. Such detectors, placed in suitable locations, provide information that may be used to detect a violation of an applicable pollution criteria and provide data to ascertain the extent of the discharge. Or, detectors may be used to demonstrate compliance with applicable pollution criteria (in that failure to detect pollution discharges implies that the pollution source is operating in compliance with applicable pollution discharge regulations).

A threshold is defined in a pollution detector such that when pollution is detected at a level at least equal to the threshold, the pollution detector generates a signal and/or data indicating that pollution levels are exceeding the threshold. Data may include, but is not limited to, the level of pollution, times of detection and/or type of pollution detected.

However, such pollution detectors are often monitored on a periodic basis. Thus, data provided by such pollution detectors would indicate a pollution discharge after the initial discharge event. If the discharge is ongoing, serious pollution criteria violations may occur. If the discharge is ongoing and not reported in a timely manner, even from a low rate discharge that would not otherwise cause a criteria violation had the discharge been detected and remedied in a timely manner, very serious pollution violations may result. Regulatory agencies may impose expensive fines, require expensive clean-up measures, may require monitoring and/or may shut down the polluting facility.

Pollution detectors may be located in difficult to access locations. For example, pollution detectors configured to monitor water conditions may be submerged. Or, pollution detectors configured to monitor ground water conditions may be located deep inside a well. Or, pollution detectors configured to monitor air pollution may be located on high structures or seasonally inaccessible locations such as mountain tops. Or, pollution detectors configured to monitor air pollution may be placed on mobile equipment such as large earth movers at an ore mine. Such difficult to access pollution detectors may result in the untimely reporting of discharges and/or may result in increased monitoring expenses.

Also, if the data from the pollution detectors are manually collected, the data collection process may be labor intensive and expensive. Furthermore, data entry may also be time consuming and expensive. Accordingly, many hours of data collection and entry time may be required for even a relatively simple pollution detection system.

Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry for providing a pollution information communication system that more timely indicates the nature, location and/or other pertinent information associated with a pollution discharge. Also, there is a heretofore unaddressed need to provide a less expensive to monitor and a more conveniently accessed pollution information communication system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the inadequacies and deficiencies of the prior art as discussed hereinabove. One embodiment of the present invention, a pollution message communication system, provides a system and method for communicating pollution information messages corresponding to detected pollution discharges and/or the presence of pollution by pollution detectors. The pollution message communication system employs a transceiver network with a plurality transceivers residing in a network. A plurality of transceivers are coupled to one of a plurality of pollution detectors each located at one of a plurality of locations. The transceivers each have unique identification codes. In one embodiment, transceivers broadcast and receive radio frequency (RF) signals. A site controller provides communications between the plurality of transceiver units and a pollution monitoring management controller residing in a pollution message system control center.

One embodiment of the present invention can also be viewed as providing a method for communicating pollution information messages. In this regard, the method can be broadly summarized by the following steps. Generating a pollution information message with a transceiver having at least an identification code uniquely assigned to the transceiver, and communicating the pollution information message from the transceiver to a network transceiver such that the pollution information message is communicated over an intermediate communication system to a pollution monitoring management controller.

Another embodiment of the present invention can be broadly summarized by the following steps. Receiving a pollution information message broadcasted from a transceiver having at least an identification code uniquely assigned to the transceiver, determining information relevant to the received pollution information message by associating the information with the identification code of the transceiver, and communicating the pollution information message and the relevant information, such as to a person.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon examination of the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such features and advantages be included herein within the scope of the present invention and protected by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. Furthermore, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of a plurality of transceivers residing in a transceiver network configured to communicate pollution information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a transceiver ofFIG. 1 coupled to a pollution detection device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating selected components of an embodiment of a pollution monitoring control center in communication with the transceiver network ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating alternative intermediate communication systems employed by the pollution information communication system ofFIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process for communicating a pollution information message generated by one of the transceivers ofFIGS. 1-2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

a. Overview of the Pollution Information Message System

In general, the present invention relates to a system and method for communicating pollution information messages that are transmitted from a transceiver, through a transceiver network, to a pollution monitoring management controller so that a discharge of pollution and/or the presence of pollution is detected and reported in a timely manner, as described in greater detail below. The pollution information message, in one embodiment, is generated in response to a detector that detects the presence of pollution.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of atransceiver network100 having a plurality transceivers102a-102f. Preferably, in one embodiment, transceivers102a-102fare configured to selectively broadcast and/or receive pollution information messages using radio frequency (RF) signals. Asite controller104 provides communications between atransceiver unit106, viaconnection108, and a pollutionmonitoring management controller302 residing in a pollution monitoring control center300 (FIG. 3), viaconnection110.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a pollution information communication system with atransceiver202 coupled to apollution detector204. In one embodiment, if a pollution level exceeding a predefined threshold is detected, thepollution detector204 generates a signal having pollution information, described in greater detail below, that is communicated to thetransceiver202. That is, when the presence of pollution is detected, thereby indicating a pollution discharge, the pollution detector begins communication with thetransceiver202.

In another embodiment, thepollution detector204 is in continues communication with thetransceiver202 so that pollution information is provided on a real-time basis. Here, if no pollution is detected, or pollution levels are detected below a threshold, the information may demonstrate compliance with applicable pollution discharge regulations.

In one embodiment, in response to receiving a signal and/or data from thepollution detector204, thetransceiver202 transmits a pollution information message via anRF signal210 that is detected bytransmitter station212.Transmitter station212, located on a suitable high point, such as a tower120 (see alsoFIG. 1) or the like, transmits anRF signal216 to thetransceiver unit106. Thetransceiver unit106 communicates the pollution information message to thesite controller104. Eventually, the pollution information message is received by the pollution monitoring control center300 (FIG. 3), in a manner described in greater detail below.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating selected components of a pollutionmonitoring control center300 in communication with the transceiver network100 (FIG. 1). The received pollution information messages are received by a pollutionmonitoring management controller302, described in greater detail below. In one embodiment, thecontrol room operators304 receive a processed pollution information message from the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 and initiate appropriate actions in response to the received pollution information message. In another embodiment, the pollution information is communicated to an automatic system.

b. Pollution Information Message Transceiver System Environment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of atransceiver network100 in communication with a plurality of transceivers102a-102fresiding in proximity to a monitoredfacility112. At least one transceiver is coupled to each one of the pollution detectors114a-114f, as will be described in greater detail below.

For convenience of illustration, and for convenience of explaining the operation and functionality of the pollution information message system, only a single monitoredfacility112 is illustrated onFIG. 1. A monitoredfacility112 may be a factory, a business or other location where a plurality of pollution detectors114a-114fare located. Furthermore, the term “monitored facility” as used herein may also be any location where pollution detectors are located to detect the presence of pollution. For example, but not limited to, the pollution detectors may be located in proximity to a lake, reservoir, mountain, canyon or other location of interest.

A pollution information message system is configured to receive pollution information messages, in a manner described below, from hundreds, even thousands, of transceivers, depending upon the particular architecture in which the pollution information message system is implemented. Therefore, the explanation of the operation and functionality of the pollution information message system described below is limited to a small segment of thetransceiver network100 for convenience.

A pollution information message transmitted from any one of the transceivers102a-102fis relayed to the pollution monitoring management controller302 (FIG. 3) via one or more of thetransceiver stations116aand116b. Preferably, in one embodiment, the transceivers broadcast the pollution information message using a suitable radio frequency (RF) signal. The pollution information message includes at least the identification code of the transceiver generating the pollution information message.

For example,transceivers102a,102band102care illustrated as transmitting pollution information messages totransceiver station116avia RF signals118a,118band118c, respectively. Similarly,transceivers102dand102ebroadcast pollution information messages totransceiver station116bvia RF signals118dand118e, respectively. Thus,pollution detectors114cand/or114dmay detect a presence ofair pollution emissions124 from the monitoredfacility112. Accordingly,transceivers102cand102d, respectively, would then communicate pollution information messages to their respectivereceiving transceiver stations116aand116b.

A transceiver (not shown) intransceiver station116ais illustrated as communicating a pollution information message totransceiver station116bviasignal122a. The transceivers102a-102e, and/or transceivers residing in the transceiver stations, may be identical to each other or may be configured to have different characteristics, such as different bandwidths, frequencies and/or signal broadcast strengths.

Each of thetransceiver stations116aand116bdetect broadcasted pollution information messages from a broadcasting transceiver102a-102e, depending upon the strength of the broadcasted pollution information message and the distance of thetransceiver stations116aand116bfrom the broadcasting transceiver. That is, atransceiver stations116aand116bdetect broadcasted pollution information messages from any transceivers and/or any transceiver stations in its reception range. Preferably,transceiver stations116aand116breside at a suitably elevated location, such as on atower120, high building, mountain top or the like to facilitate reception and transmission of pollution information messages. Pollution information messages from the transceivers102a-102eare relayed by thetransceiver stations116aand116bto thetransceiver unit106 via RF signals122a-122b. Each transceiver station has a transceiver (network transceiver) configured to communicate pollution information messages with the transceivers102a-102e, transceiver stations, and/or at least onetransceiver unit106.

In one embodiment, transceivers are configured to communicate directly withtransceiver unit106, assuming the broadcasting transceivers are within broadcasting range of thetransceiver unit106. For example,pollution detector114fmay detect afluid discharge126 from the monitored facility122. Accordingly,transceiver102fwould broadcast a pollution information message, viasignal118f, directly to thetransceiver unit106.

The transceivers residing in the transceiver station may be the same as one of the transceivers102a-102f, or be configured to have different characteristics such as different bandwidths, frequencies and/or signal broadcast strengths. In some applications, a unique identification code associated with the broadcasting transceiver station is added to the pollution information message.

For example, a pollution information message detected by thetransceiver station116ais relayed to thetransceiver station116bvia RF signal122a. The pollution information message is then relayed by thetransceiver station116bto thetransceiver unit106 viaRF signal122b. Similarly, a pollution information message detected by thetransceiver station116bis relayed to thetransceiver unit106 viaRF signal122b.

One embodiment of the pollution information message system employs transceivers that use standardized digital communication formats such that the information is communicated as packetized units of digital data. Other embodiments employ other suitable communication formats. Other suitable communication formats may be either digital or analog signals.

Thetransceiver unit106 converts received pollution information messages into a suitable communication signal formatted for communication over ahardwire connection108. In one embodiment, thetransceiver unit106 formats the received broadcasted RF pollution information messages into astandardized RS 232 signal. Another embodiment converts the received pollution information messages into a standardized RS 485 signal. Thetransceiver unit106 may be configured to convert the received pollution information messages from the transceivers102a-102fand/ortransceiver stations116aand116bof thetransceiver network100 into any suitable signal for transmission over a hardwire interconnection, such as, but not limited to, a metallic conductor, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable or the like. In some applications, a unique identification code associated with thetransceiver unit106 is added to the pollution information message.

When transceivers (not shown) at other monitored facilities (not shown) are integrated into thetransceiver network100, a large network of transceivers will be able to communicate pollution information messages to the pollutionmonitoring management controller302. For convenience of illustration, only one monitoredfacility112 is illustrated inFIG. 1. Many other monitored facilities and/or locations may be incorporated into thetransceiver network100 such that all of the transceivers are communicating to the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 via thetransceiver network100.

A portion of thetransceiver network100 illustrated inFIG. 1 is configured according to the strength of the broadcasted RF signals118a-118ffrom the plurality of transceivers102a-102f, and the strength of the broadcasted signals122aand122bfrom the plurality oftransceiver stations116aand116b. Thus, many more transceiver units coupled to pollution monitors may be located out in a monitored area. Additional transceiver stations are deployed as necessary.

Site controller104 is configured to communicate with any desired number of transceiver units. Furthermore, a plurality of site controllers can be deployed within a monitored area, thereby increasing the area of coverage of thetransceiver network100. There are no known limitations that would limit the number of transceivers in communication with the pollution monitoring control center300 (FIG. 3) when a suitable number of transceiver units and site controllers are implemented with a plurality of transceivers to form atransceiver network100.

Site controller104, in another embodiment, is configured to include other functionalities. Such functionalities may be implemented in a site controller without departing substantially from the operation and functionality of the invention. For example, asite controller104 may be configured to transmit acknowledgment signals back to the transceiver initiating the pollution information message or another designated transceiver. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous in indicating that a pollution information message has been received from a location of interest. In some applications, a unique identification code associated with thesite controller104 is added to the pollution information message.

Furthermore, for convenience of illustration, thesite controller104 and thetransceiver unit106 are illustrated as separate components coupled together viaconnection108. In another embodiment, thetransceiver unit106 and thesite controller104 are incorporated into a single unit that performs substantially the same functionality of thetransceiver unit106 and thesite controller104. Alternatively, thetransceiver unit106 andsite controller104 may be conveniently included in the same housing. Such an alternative embodiment is particularly advantageous when it is desirable to centrally locate components to provide easy access and/or when it is desirable to enclose the devices in a single environmentally protective enclosure.

Each one of the transceivers, transceiver stations and transceiver units, have a unique identification code, such as a unique alpha-numeric identification code, a hexa-decimal code, or a like identification code. For example,transceiver102bmay have the unique identification code “102b”. When a pollution information message is relayed by thetransceiver102bto the pollution monitoring management controller302 (FIG. 3), the pollution information message is tagged or otherwise identified with the unique identity code “102b”. Thus, the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 knows where thetransceiver102bis located since location information for thetransceiver102bis retained in a database314 (FIG. 3), described in greater detail below. To determine the location of the transceiver generating a pollution information message, the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 need only associate the location information in thedatabase314 with the unique identification code of the transceiver since the pollution information message contains the identification code of the transceiver. Also, in one embodiment, the nature of the pollution information can be determined if the type of pollution monitor coupled to thetransceiver102bis described in thedatabase314.

Furthermore, the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 may specifically poll thetransceiver102bto provide information by broadcasting a signal, using the unique identification code “102b”, such that thetransceiver102brecognizes that it is instructed to broadcast the status information back to the pollutionmonitoring management controller302. The pollution informationmessage management controller302, viasite controller104, instructstransceiver106 to broadcast an information request signal to thetransceiver102b. Thus,transceiver unit106 broadcasts an information request signal totransceiver station116b.Transceiver station116bbroadcasts the information request signal totransceiver station116a, which then broadcasts the information request signal to thetransceiver102b. Status information may include information of interest such as, but not limited to, the operational condition of the transceiver, the pollution detector, and/or their components. Furthermore, status information may include information regarding pollution detected by the pollution detector, such as but not limited to, current levels of detected pollution, type of detected pollution, nature of the detected pollution or other measured pollution related parameters. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous in providing pollution information at desired intervals to, for example, but not limited to, form databases to perform scientific studies and/or to demonstrate compliance with relevant pollution regulations.

Similarly, the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 is in communication with all of the individual transceivers ofFIG. 1 such that a pollution information message is associated with specific transceivers. Furthermore, the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 may request information from any desired transceiver integrated into thetransceiver network100.

For convenience of illustration, and for convenience of describing the operation and functionality oftransceiver202, thetransceiver202 is illustrated as coupled to asimplified pollution detector204, viaconnection218.Pollution detector204 includes at least adetector unit220 andinterface unit222.Detector unit220 is configured to detect the presence of pollution. Such adetector unit220, in one embodiment, is configured to detect particular types of pollution and/or to detect the level, quantity, magnitude or the like of the pollution.

For example, such apollution detector unit220 may be configured to detect nitrogen oxide (NOX) pollution in the air from a nearby power plant. Another embodiment of thedetector unit220 is configured to generate signals indicating detection of the specified pollutants when the level of the pollutant exceeds a predefined threshold. Other known pollution detectors known in the art of detecting pollution may be similarly coupled to a transceiver for integration into a pollution information message system. Detailed operations of these pollution detectors, and the associated components residing in the pollution detectors, are not described in detail herein other than to the extent necessary to understand the operation and functioning of these detectors when employed as part of a pollution information message system. Accordingly, any such pollution detector, when integrated into a pollution information message system, is intended to be disclosed herein and to be protected by the accompanying claims.

Pollution detector204 includes aninterface unit222 coupled to thedetector unit220, viaconnection224, and coupled totransceiver202, viaconnection218.Interface unit222 receives pollution information from thedetector unit220 and processes the received information into a signal suitable for thetransceiver202. Thus, thedetector unit220 detects the presence of pollutants and theinterface unit222 configures the information from thedetector unit220 into a signal suitable for thetransceiver202. Then, the pollution information message is generated and transmitted by thetransceiver202. Theinterface unit222 may be implemented using any suitable known interface device configured to receive information from a pollution detector and configured to generate a signal suitable for a transceiver employed in a pollution information message system. Other embodiments of theinterface unit222 may be specially fabricated and specially designed interface units manufactured specifically for integration into a pollution information message system. Detailed operation of theinterface unit222, and the associated components residing in theinterface unit222, is not described in detail herein other than to the extent necessary to understand the operation and functioning of theinterface unit222 and its components when employed as part of a pollution information message system. Accordingly, anysuch interface unit222 is intended to be disclosed herein and to be protected by the accompanying claims.

c. Integrating the Pollution Information Message Transceiver System into a Pollution Information Message System Control Center

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating selected components of one embodiment of a pollutionmonitoring control center300 in communication with thetransceiver network100. Included as an integral component of the pollution information message system is the pollutionmonitoring management controller302. The pollutionmonitoring management controller302 is coupled to at least one of the previously describedsite controllers104 viaconnection306.Connection306 is coupled to connection110 (FIGS. 1 and 2) through an intermediary communication system, described in greater detail below.

The pollutionmonitoring management controller302 includes at least aprocessor308, amemory310 and aninterface312.Memory310 includes at least adatabase314 and the pollution message monitoringcontroller logic316.Processor308 is coupled to thememory310 viaconnection318 and is coupled to theinterface312 viaconnection320.

When one of the plurality of transceivers residing in thetransceiver network100 transmits a pollution information message, the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 receives the pollution information message and stores the received pollution information message intodatabase314 or in another suitable location in a memory.Processor308 executes the pollution message monitoringcontroller logic316 to appropriately store the received pollution information message into thedatabase314 or in another suitable location in a memory. In one embodiment,database314 employs a look-up table.

Thedatabase314 includes information of interest such as, but not limited to, the identification code of each the transceivers, the location of the transceiver, and the nature of the pollution information message. The nature of the pollution information message in some applications is determined by the type of pollution detection to which the transceiver is coupled to. For example, if the transceiver is coupled to a pollution detector configured to detect chemical “abc,” thedatabase314 would include information indicating that a pollution detector is coupled to the transceiver such that a pollution information message received from that transceiver would indicate the possible presence of a chemical “abc” detected by the pollution detector.

Other information of interest may also be included in thedatabase314. For example, but not limited to, information identifying the specific customer, customer's address and/or attributes of the customer's facility may be included withindatabase314. Also, individuals that should be contacted when a pollution information message is received may also be included in thedatabase314. The nature of the pollution detector that is monitored by the transceiver may also be included within thedatabase314. Such information pertaining to the nature of the detector includes, but is not limited to, make, model, manufacturer, manufacture date and/or components. Accordingly, any type of information of interest may be included within thedatabase314. Furthermore, information regarding attributes of the transceivers, the transceiver stations, the transceiver units and the site controllers, such as, but not limited to, make, model, manufacturer, manufacture date, components, identification codes and/or locations, may be included indatabase314.

The pollutionmonitoring management controller302 is illustrated as being coupled to thecontrol console322, viaconnection324. Typically, thecontrol room operators304 interface with the various components residing in the pollutionmonitoring control center300 via one or more control consoles322. Information is displayed on a suitable interface device, such as adisplay screen326. Thus, acontrol room operator304, after determining a valid pollution information message is received, may take appropriate actions.

In another embodiment, the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 is coupled to an automatic system, such as but not limited to, a system control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Such an embodiment is advantageous in automatically monitoring and controlling a facility. For example, but not limited to, pollution may be monitored such that a value or gate in a piping system is operated upon detection of pollution.

d. Communication Between Site Controllers and the Pollution Monitoring Management Controller

As described above with reference toFIGS. 1-3, a site controller104 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is in communication with theinterface312 residing in the pollution monitoring management controller302 (FIGS. 3 and 4).FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating alternative intermediate communication systems employed by the pollution information message system. Fiveexemplary site controllers402,404,406,408 and410 are illustrated as being coupled to theinterface312 residing in the pollutionmonitoring management controller302, via five communication systems. These exemplary intermediate communication systems are intended to illustrate some, but not all, of the possible communication systems through which the connections110 (FIGS. 1-2) and306 (FIG. 3) may coupled to such that the pollution information message system enables communication between the site controllers and the pollutionmonitoring management controller302.

Site controller402 is communicating to interface312 via a public switched telephone network (PSTN)412, viaconnections110 and306. Thus,site controller402 is configured to provide a suitable signal having pollution information that is provided to thePSTN412.PSTN412 receives the suitably configured pollution information from thesite controller402 and relays the information to theinterface312.Interface312 converts the received pollution information from thePSTN412 and reformats the pollution information into a suitable communication signal that is provided to processor308 (FIG. 3) such that the pollution information is stored in the database314 (FIG. 3) in a manner described above.

In one embodiment, when the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 issues an acknowledgment signal, theinterface312 converts the acknowledgment signal into a suitable signal formatted for communication over thePSTN412. The suitably formatted acknowledgment signal is then communicated through thePSTN412 and is transmitted to thesite controller402 viaconnections306 and110. Thesite controller402 then converts the received acknowledgment signal from thePSTN412 into a suitably formatted signal for transmission out to the selected transceiver(s) as described above.

The components (not shown) residing in theinterface312 and thesite controller402 that are configured to transmit, receive and convert signals from thePSTN412 are known in the art and, therefore, are not described in detail herein other than to the extent necessary to understand the operation and functioning of these components when employed as part of theinterface312 and thesite controller402. Such known components are too numerous to describe in detail herein, and that any configuration of such known components having the above-described functionality may be implemented in theinterface312 and thesite controller402 without departing substantially from the pollution information message system. Any such implementation of components configured to receive and convert communication signals fromPSTN412 are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by the accompanying claims.

Site controller404 is communicating to interface312 via a legacyutility communication system414, viaconnections110 and306. Thus,site controller404 is configured to provide a suitable signal having pollution information that is provided to the legacyutility communication system414. The legacyutility communication system414 is a known communication system employed by the electric utility or other responsible organization for the monitoring and/or control of an electric energy distribution system or transmission system.

The legacyutility communication system414 is an integrated network of communication technologies that may include, but is not limited to, microwave communication systems, wire based communication systems, RF communications or fiber optics networks. Furthermore, these various communication systems are integrated into a composite communication system. Thussite controller404 is configured to interface at convenient location on the legacyutility communication system414 such that thesite controller404 provides the appropriately formatted information to the legacy utility communication system.

For example,site controller404 may integrate into an existing fiber optics portion of the legacyutility communication system414. In one embodiment,site controller404 is configured to interface with a suitably configured fiber optics connector to provide interconnectivity directly to the fiber optics networks, or alternatively, is configured to communicate with various communication components that are associated with the communication of optical signals over the fiber optics network. Another embodiment ofsite controller404 is configured to communicate with the microwave portions, the wire portions, or the RF portions of the legacyutility communication system414.

The legacyutility communication system414 receives the suitably configured pollution information from thesite controller410 and relays the information to theinterface312.Interface312 converts the received pollution information from the legacyutility communication system414 and reformats the pollution information into a suitable communication signal that is provided to processor308 (FIG. 3) such that the pollution information is stored in the data base314 (FIG. 3) in a manner described above.

In one embodiment, when the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 issues an acknowledgment signal, theinterface312 converts the acknowledgment signal into a suitable signal formatted for communication over the legacyutility communication system414. The suitably formatted acknowledgment signal is then communicated through the legacyutility communication system414 and is transmitted to thesite controller404, viaconnections306 and110. Thesite controller404 then converts the received acknowledgment signal from the legacyutility communication system414 into a suitably formatted signal for transmission out to the selected transceiver(s) as described above.

The components (not shown) residing in theinterface312 and thesite controller404 that are configured to transmit, receive and convert signals from the legacyutility communication system414 are known in the art and, therefore, are not described in detail herein other than to the extent necessary to understand the operation and functioning of these components when employed as part of theinterface312 and thesite controller404. Such known components are too numerous to describe in detail herein and that any configuration of such known components having the above-described functionality may be implemented in theinterface312 and thesite controller404 without departing substantially from the pollution information message system. Any such implementation of the components configured to receive and convert communication signals from the legacyutility communication system414 are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by the accompanying claims.

Site controller406 is communicating to interface312 via adigital communication system416, viaconnections110 and306. Thus,site controller406 is configured to provide a suitable signal having pollution information that is provided to thedigital communication system416. Thedigital communication system416 is a based communication system configured to communication information in a digital format. Non-limiting examples of such digitally based communications systems include digital subscriber loops (DSL), X.25, Internet protocol, (IP), Ethernet, Integrated services digital network (ISDN) and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM). Such digital communication systems may employ a PSTN, a frame relay based network and/or cable network. Furthermore, such digital communication systems may employ combinations of the above-described systems having a plurality of segments employing different technologies on each segment.

Thedigital communication system416 receives the suitably configured pollution information from thesite controller406 and relays the information to theinterface312.Interface312 converts the received pollution information from thedigital communication system416 and reformats the pollution information into a suitable communication signal that is provided to processor308 (FIG. 3) such that the pollution information is stored in the data base314 (FIG. 3) in a manner described above.

In one embodiment, when the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 issues an acknowledgment signal, theinterface312 converts the acknowledgment signal into a suitable signal formatted for communication over thedigital communication system416. The suitably formatted acknowledgment signal is then communicated through thedigital communication system416 and is transmitted to thesite controller406, viaconnections306 and110. Thesite controller406 then converts the received acknowledgment signal from thedigital communication system416 into a suitably formatted signal for transmission out to the selected transceiver(s) as described above.

The components (not shown) residing in theinterface312 andsite controller406 that are configured to received and convert signals from thedigital communication system416 are known in the art and, therefore, are not described in detail herein other than to the extent necessary to understand the operation and functioning of these components when employed as part of theinterface312 and thesite controller406. Such well known components are too numerous to describe in detail herein, and that any configuration of such known components having the above-described functionality may be implemented in theinterface312 and thesite controller406 without departing substantially from the pollution information message system. Any such implementation of the components configured to receive and convert communication signals from the digital communication system are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by the accompanying claims.

Site controller408 is communicating to interface312 via a radio frequency (RF) communication system having at least afirst transceiver418 configured to broadcast RF signals420 totransceiver422. An alternative embodiment employs other mediums of broadcast signals, such as, but not limited to, microwave. Thus,site controller408 is configured to provide a suitable signal having pollution information that is provided to thetransceiver418. Thetransceiver418 receives the suitably configured pollution information from thesite controller408 and relays the information totransceiver422. Thetransceiver422 relays the information to theinterface312.Interface312 converts the received pollution information from thetransceiver422 and reformats the pollution information into a suitable communication signal that is provided to processor308 (FIG. 3) such that the pollution information is stored in thedata base314 in a manner described above.

In one embodiment, when the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 issues an acknowledgment signal, theinterface312 converts the acknowledgment signal into a suitable signal formatted for communication betweentransceivers422 and418. The suitably formatted acknowledgment signal is then communicated through thetransceivers422 and418 and is transmitted to thesite controller408 viaconnections306 and110. Thesite controller408 then converts the received acknowledgment signal from thetransceivers422 and418 into a suitably formatted signal for transmission out to the selected transceiver(s) as described above.

The components (not shown) residing in theinterface312 and thesite controller408 that are configured to transmit, receive and convert signals from thetransceivers418 and422 are known in the art and, therefore, are not described in detail herein other than to the extent necessary to understand the operation and functioning of these components when employed as part of theinterface312 and thesite controller408. Such known components are too numerous to describe in detail herein, and that any configuration of such known components having the above-described functionality may be implemented in theinterface312 and thesite controller408 without departing substantially from the pollution information message system. Any such implementation of the components configured to receive and convert communication signals from thetransceivers418 and422 are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by the accompanying claims.

Site controller410 is communicating to interface312 via anInternet system424, viaconnections110 and306. Thus,site controller410 is configured to provide a suitable signal having pollution information that is provided to theInternet system424.Internet system424 receives the suitably configured pollution information from thesite controller410 and relays the information to theinterface312.Interface312 converts the received pollution information from theInternet system424 and reformats the pollution information into a suitable communication signal that is provided to processor308 (FIG. 3) such that the pollution information is stored in the database314 (FIG. 3) in a manner described above.

In one embodiment, when the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 issues an acknowledgment signal, theinterface312 converts the acknowledgment signal into a suitable signal formatted for communication over theInternet system424. The suitably formatted acknowledgment signal is then communicated through theInternet system424 and is transmitted to thesite controller410 viaconnections306 and110. Thesite controller410 then converts the received acknowledgment signal from theInternet system424 into a suitably formatted signal for transmission out to the selected transceiver(s) as described above.

The components (not shown) residing in theinterface312 and thesite controller410 that are configured to transmit, receive and convert signals from theInternet system424 are known in the art and, therefore, are not described in detail herein other than to the extent necessary to understand the operation and functioning of those components when employed as part of theinterface312 and thesite controller410. Such well known components are too numerous to describe in detail herein, and that any configuration of such known components having the above-described functionality may be implemented in theinterface312 and thesite controller410 without departing substantially from the pollution information message system. Any such implementation of components configured to receive and convert communication signals from theInternet system424 are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by the accompanying claims.

Other embodiments of the site controllers and theinterface312 are configured to communicate with other communication networks or combination networks having a plurality of segments employing different communication technologies on each segment. For example, a site controller and a interface could be configured to communicate over satellite based communication systems. Another example includes a combination system that employs thePSTN408 and theInternet system412. Such a combination system would include an interface device to interface thePSTN408 with theInternet system412. There are no intended limitations with respect to the interfacing communication technology through which a site controller and an interface312 (FIG. 3) communicate. Any such implementation of a site controller and aninterface312 configured to communicate through another communication technology in accordance with the operation and functionality of the pollution information message system described herein is intended to be within the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by the accompanying claims.

One embodiment of the site controller and/orinterface312 employs a plurality of standardized components, and is configured to receive an interface card. The interface card is configured to provide connectivity to the communication system that is used by the pollution information message system to communicate over. Such an embodiment is particularly suited to implementing a mass produced pollution information message system.

e. Operation of the Pollution Monitoring Management Controller

FIG. 5 is aflow chart500 illustrating a process for communicating a pollution information message generated by one of the transceivers ofFIGS. 1-2. Theflow chart500 shows the architecture, functionality, and operation of a possible implementation of the software associated with the pollution message monitoring controller logic316 (FIG. 3). In this regard, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted inFIG. 5, or may include additional functions, without departing significantly from the functionality of the process of the pollution monitoring management controller. For example, two blocks shown in succession inFIG. 5 may in fact be executed substantially concurrently, the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, or some of the blocks may not be executed in all instances, depending upon the functionality involved, as will be further clarified herein below. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by the accompanying claims.

When the pollution message monitoringcontroller logic316 is implemented as software and stored in memory310 (FIG. 3), the pollution message monitoringcontroller logic316 can be stored on any computer readable medium for use by or in connection with any computer and/or processor related system or method. In the context of this document, amemory310 is a computer readable medium that is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other another physical device or means that contains or stores a computer and/or processor program. The pollution message monitoringcontroller logic316 can be embodied in any computer readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions associated with the pollution message monitoringcontroller logic316. In the context of this specification, a “computer readable medium” can be any means that can store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program associated with the pollution message monitoringcontroller logic316 for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, and/or device. The computer readable medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a nonexhaustive list) of the computer readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, computer readable storage medium, such as a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM). Note that the computer-readable medium, could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program associated with the pollution message monitoringcontroller logic316 is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via for instance optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored inmemory310 or in another suitable memory.

The process starts atblock502 when the presence of pollution is detected by a pollution detector, as described above. Atblock504, a transceiver is actuated in response to receiving a signal from the pollution detector such that a pollution information message is broadcasted over the transceiver network100 (FIG. 1). Atblock506, the pollution information message is received at the pollution monitoring management controller302 (FIG. 3) in a manner described above. Atblock508, the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 executes the pollution message monitoringcontroller logic316. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a suitably formatted pollution information message is provided to the control room operators304 (FIG. 3).

Atblock510, a determination is made whether or not other information should be provided. If no other information is provided at block510 (the NO condition), the process returns to block502. If other information should be provided to the control room operators304 (the YES condition), the other information is provided to thecontrol room operators304 atblock512. As described above, such information may include, but is not limited to, the identification code of each the transceivers, the location of the transceiver, and the nature of the detected pollution.

Atblock514, a determination is made whether or not other interested parties should be notified. If no other interested parties are to be notified at block510 (the NO condition), the process returns to block502. If other information should be provided to the control room operators304 (the YES condition), the other information is provided to thecontrol room operators304 atblock516. For example, the pollution message monitoringcontroller logic316 may determine that a company representative associated with a monitored facility, government regulatory authorities, or other individual(s) identified in thedatabase314 should be notified of the received >pollution information message. The process then returns to block502 to await the next pollution event.

f. Transceiver Maintenance Feature

One embodiment described above employs transceivers configured to transmit pollution information messages back to the pollution monitoring management controller302 (FIG. 3). Each transceiver includes its unique identification code as part of the broadcasted pollution information message. Location information for each transceiver, identified in database314 (FIG. 3), is determined by associating the identification code in the received pollution information message with the corresponding location information (identified by the corresponding identification code). Transceivers transmitting information back to the pollutionmonitoring management controller302, in one embodiment, are configured to include logic that indicates the operational status of the pollution detecting device and/or its associated components back to the pollutionmonitoring management controller302. The pollution message monitoring controller logic316 (FIG. 3) includes a transceiver maintenance function that evaluates received status and information from the signals transmitted by the transceivers such that the operational integrity of the pollution detector is accessed. That is, if a component in the pollution detector fails, the status information indicates failure of that component. The pollution message monitoringcontroller logic316 provides the appropriate indication to thecontrol room operators304 such that maintenance personnel are dispatched out to the pollution detecting device and/or the transceiver to effect a repair of the nonfunctioning or improperly functioning component.

One embodiment employing the above-described maintenance feature employs transceivers configured to periodically transmit status information to the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 at predefined time intervals. Another embodiment employs transceivers configured to respond to a status information request generated by the pollutionmonitoring management controller302. Here, logic residing in the pollution message monitoringcontroller logic316 would perform a maintenance function wherein pre-selected transceivers are requested to provide status information. Another embodiment employs transceivers configured to generate periodic status reports to the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 and are configured to respond to requests for status information from the pollutionmonitoring management controller302. In yet another embodiment, all three types of the above-described transceivers are employed to communicate status information to the pollutionmonitoring management controller302.

When a transceiver component that broadcast the status information fails, such as, but not limited to, the transceiver itself, the failure is detected by a loss of signal. Thus, in an embodiment employing a transceiver that is to provide an acknowledgment signal, or provide a status signal in response to a status information request, or is to provide periodic status information reports, the failure of the transceiver to respond or provide information at scheduled times and/or in response to a status inquiry, indicates a component failure.

Summarizing, the above-described embodiment includes a maintenance functionality such that the operational status of the transceivers residing in the transceiver network100 (FIG. 1) and/or pollution detectors are monitored to ensure continuous operational functionality. Other components of the above-described communication network, such as the detectors and/or their components, may be also monitored. Thus, a detected failure in a transceiver, transceiver component, detector and/or a detector component may be quickly detected such that maintenance personnel are dispatched to repair the failed transceiver, detector or components. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in providing a pollution information message system having a high degree of operational reliability and integrity.

g. Defining Transceiver Communication Paths

For convenience describing the operation and functionality of the transceiver network100 (FIG. 1), a simplified description of the communication paths employed by the plurality of transceivers is described above. In one embodiment, all transceivers employed in the transceiver network have both the capability to receive broadcasted signals and to broadcast signals. However, many of the transceivers have a limited transmit signal range as the strength of the broadcasted signal is relatively low. This embodiment is particularly suited intransceiver network100 configurations employing a large number of transceivers located in close proximity to other transceivers.

In one embodiment, the communication path that a transceiver employs for broadcasting signals is predefined. For example,transceiver102ainFIG. 1 was described above as transmitting pollution information messages totransceiver unit106 over the path defined bysignals118a,122aand122b. That is, when thetransceiver unit106 receives a pollution information message fromtransceiver102a,transceiver stations116aand116bare configured to relay the signal to thetransceiver unit106. Here, if another transceiver station (not shown) detects the pollution information message fromtransceiver102a, that transceiver station simply ignores the detected pollution information message and does not relay the pollution information message.

In one embodiment, transmission paths for all transceivers are predetermined by the pollution monitoring management controller302 (FIG. 3). Path information is broadcasted out to all components of thetransceiver network100, transceiver stations, transceiver units and site controllers. This information is stored in a memory residing in or coupled to each of the components of thetransceiver network100, transceiver stations, transceiver units and site controllers. Each component then configures itself to react only to those signals for which it is part of the predefined path. Thus, when thetransceiver unit102bdetects a pollution information message fromtransceiver102a,transceiver units102brecognizes that it is not part of the path to transceiver102a, and simply takes no action.

In one embodiment, the communication paths are defined by using the identification codes associated with each transceiver, and identification codes assigned to the transceiver stations, transceiver units and site controllers. For example, ifsite controller104 is defined by the identification code “104”,transceiver unit106 is defined by the identification code “106”,transceiver station116bis defined by the identification code “116b”,transceiver station116ais defined by the identification code “116a”, andtransceiver102ais defined by the identification code “102a”, the path between thesite controller104 andtransceiver102ais simply defined by a code such as104.106.116b.116a.102a(where each number corresponds to the component identification code). Other suitable codes are easily defined.

Such a system is described in detail in the commonly assigned patent entitled “MULTI-FUNCTION GENERAL PURPOSE TRANSCEIVER,” filed Mar. 18, 1999, and accorded U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,327B1, issued on May 15, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In one embodiment of the pollution information message system, failure of a transceiver or a transceiver component is detected in a manner described above. When such a failure is detected, communications with other transceivers may be disrupted if the failed transceiver or transceiver component is in the communication path of other transceivers. In such a situation, upon the detection of the failed transceiver or transceiver component, the pollution monitoring management controller302 (FIG. 3) redefines communication paths for affected transceivers, and transmits the redefined paths out to the transceivers, transceiver stations, transceiver units and site controllers such that the paths are redefined. For example,transceiver station116a(FIG. 1) may fail. Thus,transceivers102a,102band102c(FIG. 1) will not be in communication with the pollution monitoring management controller302 (FIG. 3). The communication path fortransceiver102cwould then be redefined such thattransceiver102cis communicating withtransceiver102d(assuming thattransceiver102dis sufficiently close totransceiver102cto detect signals broadcasted fromtransceiver102c). Thus,transceiver102cwould be in communication with the transceiver unit106 (FIG. 1) through a newly defined path indicated by thesignals128a,118dand122b(FIG. 1). Here,transceiver102dis operating as both a transceiver (when communicating information from thepollution detector114d) and a network transceiver (when communicating information from other transceivers).

Similarly, the communication path fortransceiver102bwould then be redefined such thattransceiver102bis communicating withtransceiver102c(assuming thattransceiver102cis sufficiently close totransceiver102bto detect signals broadcasted fromtransceiver102b). Thus,transceiver102bwould be in communication with thetransceiver unit106 through a newly defined path indicated by thesignals128b,128a,1118dand122b(FIG. 1). Here,transceivers102cand102dare operating as both a transceiver (when communicating information from thepollution detectors114cand114d, respectively) and a network transceiver (when communicating information from other transceivers).

Similarly, the communication path fortransceiver102awould then be redefined such thattransceiver102ais communicating withtransceiver102b(assuming thattransceiver102bis sufficiently close totransceiver102ato detect signals broadcasted fromtransceiver102a). Thus,transceiver102awould be in communication with thetransceiver unit106 through a newly defined path indicated by thesignals128c,128b,128a,118dand122b(FIG. 1). Here,transceivers102b,102cand102dare operating as both a transceiver (when communicating information from thepollution detectors114b,114cand114d, respectively) and a network transceiver (when communicating information from other transceivers).

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the possible communication paths in atransceiver network100 are nearly limitless, and that such communication paths are easily redefined by the pollutionmonitoring management controller302. The above described examples are intended to illustrate some of the alternative redefined communication paths to explain the operation and functionality of the maintenance feature of one embodiment of the pollution information message system.

h. Alternative Embodiments of the Pollution Information Message System

For convenience of describing the operation and functionality of the pollution monitoring management controller302 (FIG. 3), an integral part of the pollution information message system, the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 was illustrated as a stand-alone unit. The pollutionmonitoring management controller302, in an alternative embodiment, is implemented as an integral component of another system, such as, but not limited to, a facility monitoring system, without departing substantially from the operation and functionality of the pollution information message system.

Furthermore, the components illustrated as residing in the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 may reside in alternative convenient locations outside of the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 without adversely affecting the operation and functionality of the pollution information message system. Such components may even be integrated with other existing components residing in the pollution monitoring control center, thereby minimizing the cost of implementing a pollution information message system.

For example, thedatabase314 residing in the memory310 (FIG. 3) may be implemented in a memory unit residing in an alternative location, such as thecontrol console322. Thus, information provided used the pollution information message system could simply be transferred to a database residing in the alternative location.

Similarly, the pollution message monitoring controller logic316 (FIG. 3) could reside in a convenient alternative location and be executed by a different processor that resides in a convenient alternative location. Also, theinterface312 may be implemented as a stand-alone interface unit residing in a convenient location. For example,interface312 may be implemented as a stand-alone PC, a network PC, a dedicated intra-network interface or the like that performs the functionality of receiving information through a communication network from the site controller104 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

For convenience of describing the operation and functionality of the pollution monitoring management controller302 (FIG. 3), the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 is illustrated as a stand-alone unit residing within the pollutionmonitoring control center300. Another embodiment of the pollution monitoring management controller resides in an alternative convenient location outside of the pollutionmonitoring control center300. In such an embodiment,connection324 may be a connection of suitable length to provide connectivity betweenprocessor308 and thecontrol console322. In other embodiments,connection324 may include a plurality of components that provides connectivity over a special purpose network or an existing, general purpose network. For example the pollutionmonitoring management controller302 could be in communication with the pollution information message system over any one of the communication systems described above and illustrated inFIG. 4. Such a configuration is easily implemented using appropriate interface components. Such interface components residing in a pollution monitoring management controller that are configured to transmit, receive and convert signals are known in the art and, therefore, are not described in detail herein other than to the extent necessary to understand the operation and functioning of these components when employed as part of the pollution information message system that is remote from the pollutionmonitoring control center300. One skilled in the art will realize that such known components are too numerous to describe in detail herein, and that any configuration of such known components having the above-described functionality may be implemented without departing substantially from the pollution information message system.

One embodiment of the pollution information message system is configured to couple a plurality of transceivers to a plurality of mobile air pollution detectors. A detector is used to monitor each one of a fleet of vehicles such that total pollution of the entire fleet is monitored or pollution from an individual unit of the fleet is monitored. Another embodiment is configured to monitor individual vehicles and/or various components of the vehicle to detect pollution. Such an embodiment is desirable in applications where, for example, but not limited to, exhaust emission and fluid leakages are monitored on the vehicle.

Another embodiment employs a power line carrier (PLC) signal to communicate signals from pollution detectors such that a receiving transceiver generates a pollution information message. For example, but not limited to, detector unit220 (FIG. 2), in one embodiment, is supplied power viawire226 which is coupled to theelectric distribution network228. Rather than being coupled to thetransceiver202, thedetector unit220 is configured to generate a suitable PLC signal and to communicate pollution information to thetransceiver230 using PLC signals.

Transceiver230 is coupled to theelectric distribution network228 at a suitable location. For convenience of illustration,transceiver230 is illustrated as being coupled to anelectrical outlet232.Electrical outlet232 is coupled to theelectric distribution network228 viawire234. One embodiment employs a standard outlet spade-type connector (not shown) to couple thetransceiver230 to theelectrical outlet232. Another embodiment of thetransceiver230 is coupled to theoutlet232 with wire connections coupled at suitable connection points. Another embodiment of thetransceiver230 is coupled to another suitable location on theelectric distribution network234 such that thetransceiver230 is able to reliably receive signals from thedetector unit220.

Thus, when thedetector unit220 detects pollution, a PLC signal is communicated from thedetector unit220 to thetransceiver230 over theelectric distribution network228. Upon receiving a PLC signal having pollution information, thetransceiver226 generates and communicates a pollution information signal236 in any one of the previously described manners. The communication of PLC signals, and the equipment that generates PLC signals, is known in the art, and is therefore not described in further detail other than to the extent necessary to understand the communication of PLC signals to a transceiver employed as part of a pollution monitoring management system.

Other detectors coupled to the electric distribution network may also be configured to generate PLC signals that are communicated totransceiver226. Such an embodiment of pollution detection system employing detector units communicating totransceiver230 with PLC signals is particularly advantageous when it is desirable to employ a pollution detection system within a facility having adistribution network228 that can be conveniently accessed.

The embodiment of the pollution information message system was described herein to include a plurality of transceiver units configured to communicate based upon a predefined communication path specified by the pollutionmonitoring management controller302. An alternative embodiment is configured to communicate with other special purpose systems that employ compatible transceivers. For example, a system for monitoring emergency, alarm, climate, or other conditions in a defined territory is disclosed in the co-pending commonly assigned non-provisional application entitled “SYSTEM FOR MONITORING CONDITIONS IN A RESIDENTIAL LIVING COMMUNITY,” filed Mar. 18, 1999, and accorded Ser. No. 09/271,517, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Another system for controlling electricity demand in a defined territory is disclosed in the co-pending commonly assigned non-provisional application entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER DEMAND OVER AN INTEGRATED WIRELESS NETWORK,” filed Aug. 15, 2001, and accorded Ser. No. 09/929,926, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The above applications describe a computerized system for monitoring power and/or other conditions in a defined territory using a network of transceivers communicating back to a remote facility via a plurality of repeaters and a central system (such as a site controller). The plurality of transceivers configured for monitoring power and/or other conditions in a defined territory are integrated with a plurality of transceivers for controlling customer premises appliances, thereby reducing overall facility, maintenance and installation costs by employing common units. For example, a transceiver controlling an air conditioning unit or a transceiver monitoring pollution (in accordance with the application Ser. No. 09/929,926) may be integrated to communicate through same transceiver stations, transceiver units and/or site controllers communication pollution information messages. The integrated system would simply recognize the transceiver communicating a pollution information message and appropriately route communications to and/or from that transceiver to the appropriate remote facility. One skilled in the art will appreciate that a pollution information message system described herein is interpretable into any other special purpose system or a multipurpose system based upon a network of similarly configured transceivers that communicate through common components.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.

Claims (24)

The invention claimed is:

1. A system which communicates pollution information messages, comprising:

a first transceiver having a first identification code and coupled to a detector configured to detect pollution, the first transceiver in communication with a transceiver network, the first transceiver configured to generate a pollution information message and transmit the pollution information message to the transceiver network,

the transceiver network further comprising:

a plurality of network transceivers, each network transceiver having a unique identification code and configured to communicate the pollution information message with other network transceivers;

at least one transceiver unit configured to communicate the pollution information message with at least one of the network transceivers, the pollution information message comprising information including pollution detector type, detected pollution levels, and pollution detector operational status;

at least one site controller coupled to the transceiver unit, the site controller configured to communicate the pollution information message between the transceiver unit and an intermediary communication system wherein the pollution information message is communicated to a pollution monitoring management controller coupled to the intermediary communication system; and

the pollution monitoring management controller comprising logic to redefine a communication path from the first transceiver to the pollution monitoring management controller if the pollution monitoring management controller does not receive a pollution information message from the first transceiver at a scheduled time or in response to a status inquiry.

2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the intermediary communication system further comprises a portion of an Internet.

3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the intermediary communication system further comprises a portion of a digital communication system.

4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the intermediary communication system further comprises a portion of a public switched telephone network.

5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the intermediary communication system further comprises a combination of portions of at least an Internet, a digital communication system and a public switched telephone network.

6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the intermediary communication system further comprises a combination of portions of at least an Internet and a public switched telephone network.

7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the intermediary communication system further comprises a combination of portions of at least an Internet and a digital communication system.

8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the intermediary communication system further comprises a combination of portions of at least a digital communication system and a public switched telephone network.

9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first transceiver is coupled to a pollution detecting device and is configured to generate the pollution information message in response to a signal received from the pollution detecting device.

10. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a memory residing in each one of the network transceivers and the first transceiver such that a communication transmission path is defined by at least one of the unique identification codes of the network transceivers and the first identification code of the first transceiver, the communication transmission path being used to identify a location of the first transceiver.

11. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a memory residing in the first transceiver such that the first identification code resides in the memory and such that the first identification code is included as a portion of the pollution information message, whereby the first identification code is used to identify the nature of the pollution.

12. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a second transceiver having a second identification code and coupled to an electric distribution system, the second transceiver configured to communicate pollution information with the detector using a power line carrier (PLC) signal communicated over the electric distribution system, and further configured to communicate the pollution information message with at least one of the network transceivers.

13. A computer readable storage medium storing a program for communicating pollution information messages, the program comprising logic configured to perform the steps of:

analyzing a pollution information message broadcasted from a series of transceivers, the pollution information message having an identification code uniquely assigned to the transceiver, pollution detector type, detected pollution levels, and pollution detector operational status;

determining information relevant to the received pollution information message by associating the information with the identification code of the transceiver;

generating a second pollution information message having the pollution information message and the relevant information such that a person is made aware of the received pollution information message;

determining a communication path to transmit the pollution information message within the series of transceivers; and

redefining the communication path if the pollution information message from the first transceiver is not received at a scheduled time or in response to a status inquiry.

14. A method for communicating pollution information messages, the method comprising:

generating a pollution information message with a transceiver, the pollution information message having an identification code uniquely assigned to the transceiver, pollution detector type, detected pollution levels, and pollution detector operational status;

communicating the pollution information message from the transceiver to a second transceiver coupled to a pollution detector;

communicating the pollution information from the second transceiver to the network transceiver such that the pollution information message is communicated over an intermediary communication system to a pollution monitoring management controller;

defining a communication path to transmit the pollution information message from the transceiver to the second transceiver; and

redefining the communication path if the pollution information message from the first transceiver is not received at a scheduled time or in response to a status inquiry.

15. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising communicating the pollution information message onto the intermediary communication system.

16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein communicating the pollution information message onto the intermediary communication system further comprises converting the pollution information message into a suitable Internet signal, and wherein the intermediary communication system is a portion of an Internet.

17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein communicating the pollution information message onto the intermediary communication system further comprises converting the pollution information message into a suitable digital signal, and wherein the intermediary communication system is a portion of a digital communication system.

18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein communicating the pollution information message onto the intermediary communication system further comprises converting the pollution information message into a suitable telephone signal, and wherein the intermediary communication system is a portion of a public switched telephone network.

19. The method ofclaim 15, wherein communicating the pollution information message onto the intermediary communication system further comprises converting the pollution information message into a suitable Internet signal, and wherein the intermediary communication system is a portion of at least an Internet, a digital communication system and a public switched telephone network.

20. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the intermediary communication system further comprises a combination of portions of at least an Internet and a public switched telephone network.

21. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the intermediary communication system further comprises a combination of portions of at least an Internet and a digital communication system.

22. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the intermediary communication system further comprises a combination of portions of at least a digital communication system and a public switched telephone network.

23. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising receiving a signal from a detector configured to detect pollution such that generating the pollution information message is made in response to receiving the signal from the detector.

24. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising receiving a signal from a mobile detector configured to detect pollution such that generating the pollution information message and such that a location of the mobile detector is approximated by location information associated with the identification code of the transceiver.

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